For the second straight year, Memorial Day Weekend will be
filled with airplanes dancing in the Hollister sky. The planners of
second-annual Hollister Airshow at the Hollister Municipal Airport
hope to build on the event’s successful debut last year. Attracting
more than 3,000 visitors, it was a considered a major success by
the city council, who extended the event’s budget from $15,000 to
$40,000.
For the second straight year, Memorial Day Weekend will be filled with airplanes dancing in the Hollister sky.
The planners of second-annual Hollister Airshow at the Hollister Municipal Airport hope to build on the event’s successful debut last year. Attracting more than 3,000 visitors, it was a considered a major success by the city council, who extended the event’s budget from $15,000 to $40,000.
With additional money, Airport Director Mike Chambless worked hard to strengthen the event and bring more things for people to do during the two-day show that will run all day Saturday and Sunday, he said.
A wider array of performers will perform the aerial stunts, including a glider show – which has no engine attached to it – from the United State’s National Champion Paul Jennings.
An aerobatic glider, Jennings has one of the most “aggressive” glider shows in the world, according to the air show’s website.
Like last year, the air show will have six performances, including three returning acts from last year such as fan-favorite Eddie Andreini.
“There is going to be a lot of different stuff,” Chambless said.
To allow visitors to get a better look at planes, the airport will expand ramp access, close down one runway, expand its car show and add more seating.
Taking away the “feasibility study” aspect of the original show, the air show will be bigger and, organizers hope, double its attendance.
“I consider the show this year a real air show,” Chambless said.
After its outreach to neighboring areas and aviation communities, organizers expect 4,000 to 6,000 visitors over the two-day event.
“Our website traffic is way up,” Chambless said.
And the city council trusts Chambless to continue making the event a success, Councilman Victor Gomez said.
“We have confidence in Mike’s ability to put this thing together,” Gomez said.
Compared with last year, the city council agreed to put more money into the event not only because of increasing gas prices – the event’s organizers pay for the performing airplanes’ gasoline – but because they wanted to give Chambless more freedom, Gomez said.
“We wanted to give Mike a little more room to play with during negotiations with performers,” Gomez said. “But I think we increased the budget because we wanted to help him get this done, and let him do his thing.”
The event also attracts a large number of volunteers, including Gomez, to help plan and prepare the two-day show. A major contribution among volunteers is from members of the Hollister Airmen’s Association.
“We help out with whatever the airport manager needs, including the air show,” said Ruth Erickson, president of the airmen’s association.
The airmen volunteer because they realize the importance of the event, and what it does for the community, Erickson said.
“This helps to bring a small community like ours together,” she said.
Gomez echoed the statement, believing the event helps to get community members out of their homes and out into the city and county.
“It brings people that would never go to the airport, to the airport,” he said.
Tickets
Tickets to the second-annual Hollister Airshow can be purchased at the manager’s office at the airport. Tickets are $10 for those 18 and over, and $5 for kids ages six to 17. Children under the age of six are free. Tickets will be available at the gate and parking is $5.
Web: hollisterairshow.com
Schedule
Saturday
6 a.m.: Vendor setup (with vehicle access until 08:00)
9 a.m.: Gates open to the public
11:30 a.m.: Airshow Begins
2 p.m.: Airshow Ends (approximate)
Sunday
7 a.m.: Vendor setup (with vehicle access until 08:00)
9 a.m.: Gates open to the public
11:30 a.m.: Airshow Begins
2 p.m.: Airshow Ends (approximate)
4 p.m.: Gates closed to the public
5 p.m.: Vendor tear down with vehicle access until 20:00, earlier if conditions allow.
